Search in:

Bombers won't comment on coach drugs claim

Sam Lienert

Essendon are refusing to confirm or deny a claim that some coaches at the AFL club last year took substances that would be banned for their players.

The claim was made by the club's former performance scientist Stephen Dank in an interview with the ABC's 7.30 program on Monday night.

"To be perfectly honest, there were a couple of coaches that were using some supplements, if you like, that were a little bit outside the WADA code," Dank said.

"But again they were entitled to it. There's certainly nothing illegal there."

Advertisement

Coaches are not bound by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code that covers their players.

Dank also said players did not take anything which breached the WADA code and coach James Hird, doctor Bruce Reid and high performance manager Dean Robinson had all had detailed discussions with him about what was involved in the club's supplement program.

Bombers chief executive Ian Robson gave a brief statement to media on Tuesday morning but did not specifically address anything said by Dank.

"Last week the club called for an investigation by the AFL and ASADA," Robson said.

"That investigation is ongoing and we are not in a position to offer any comment in regard to the status of that investigation at this time.

"The only thing that we can say is reiterate the point that our chairman David Evans made to the families of our players here last night: that the energy and focus of everyone at the Essendon Football Club is on the wellbeing and the welfare of our players."

When asked if the Bombers had a response to Dank's claim about substances taken by some of their coaches, an Essendon spokesman said the club would not be making any comment beyond Robson's statement.